Tibi says Joint List ready to support Eisenkot-led government without joining coalition

Joint List parliamentary leader Ahmad Tibi said the Arab alliance was prepared to help form a government led by Gadi Eisenkot without joining the coalition, as Israel’s inconclusive election left neither major bloc with a majority in the Knesset.

“The opposition must block Netanyahu by announcing that a government will be formed under Eisenkot as prime minister. We, as the Joint Arab List, are ready to help,” Tibi told Anadolu in an interview published Friday.

Tibi said his bloc would provide parliamentary support in exchange for understandings addressing issues affecting Israel’s Arab community, but would not become part of the government.

“We in the Joint Arab List do not want to enter a government,” he said. “We have spoken about providing a safety net for our community and making it possible to bring down Netanyahu’s government and establish an alternative government.”

Tibi also accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to remain caretaker prime minister, launch another war against Iran in coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump after the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, and then call another Israeli election.

“I think Netanyahu wants another election,” Tibi said. “For now, he wants to remain prime minister of the caretaker government.”

Netanyahu has not announced such a plan. U.S. officials have separately warned regional allies to prepare for possible renewed strikes on Iran after the U.S. elections, but Trump has not made a final decision.

With nearly all ballots counted Thursday, Netanyahu’s bloc held 53 seats and Eisenkot’s 48, both short of the 61 required for a majority. Arab parties were projected to hold 19 seats, potentially giving them a decisive role in efforts to form the next government.